PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE – Fall 2014
MUO 120, Section 101 Wednesday, Friday 1:25-3:20 – LPAC 1230
Web-enhanced
Dr. Luis Rivera, Mr. Matt Greenwood - Instructors
Phone: (251) 460-6247, C: (321) 356-9022, (502) 541-4710
E-Mail: lcrivera-carrero@southalabama.edu, mgreenwood@southalabama.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment Only
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The study and performance of literature for all combinations of
percussion instruments.
COURSE TOPICAL OUTLINE: Weekly rehearsal schedules will be emailed and/or posted outside
the office door in the percussion studio.
REQUIRED PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE DATES*:
World Leisure Congress Concert – Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 PM
Novus Percutere Duo Concert – Friday, September 26 at 7:30 PM
Percussion Ensemble Concerts – November 3-4 at 7:30 PM
Dress Rehearsals – Nov. 2 at 6 PM, Nov. 3 at 1:25 PM, Nov. 4 at 3:30 PM
Daphne HS Run Out Concert – November TBA
Fairhope HS Run Out Concert – November TBA
Spanish Fort HS Run Out Concert – November TBA
PASIC 2014 – November 19-22 Indianapolis, IN
Baker HS Run Out Concert – December 1 at 11:15 AM
Jessica Foster Senior Recital – Date TBA
Bryant Ramey Senior Recital – Date TBA
Ben Ivey Senior Recital – Date TBA
Steven Davidson Senior Recital – Date TBA
*additional dates may be added during course of the semester
COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Students will have the opportunity to perform significant
literature from the percussion ensemble repertoire, become familiar with percussion instruments and
techniques, high levels of musicianship, and be provided a medium for professional performance
opportunities.
COURSE MATERIALS:
ALL implements, accessories, instruments, and sheet music necessary to execute the utmost professional
level of preparation for rehearsals and concerts, whether it be from the student or professors. It is
expected of students to purchase those implements that are borrowed (and in some cases, small
accessory instruments) in order to build personal inventory over the course of his/her collegiate studies.
UNIVERSITY ATTENDANCE POLICY: An individual student is responsible for attending the classes in
which the student is officially enrolled. At the beginning of classes, instructors must define their policy on absences, and all
cases of illness and emergency shall be promptly reported and verified to the instructor. For excessive absences (two or three
consecutive meetings) due to illness, death in family, or family emergency, the Dean of Students’ office should be advised.
Absence notices will be sent to each instructor notifying him of the reason for and the approximate length of the absence.
This notification does not constitute an excused absence. Students attending authorized off-campus functions
or required activities shall be excused by the responsible University official through the Office of Academic Affairs. In case
of doubt, instructors my consult these lists in the office. Work missed as a result of these excused absences may be made up
(From the University of South Alabama Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin, pg. 30).
COURSE ATTENDANCE POLICY: Class attendance is required of all students and is necessary to
properly achieve the course objectives. Students are expected to arrive early and be prepared for THE
DOWNBEAT AT 1:25 PM. If they cannot arrive early due to a preceding class, prior arrangements
must be made with one or multiple peers to help the student set up the appropriate instruments. THIS
IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INSTRUCTORS. No unexcused absences will be
accepted. For every unexcused absence, or every two (2) tardies, your grade will drop one full letter. If a
performance or dress rehearsal is missed, a failing grade will be recorded unless the absence was due to a
severe emergency situation.
ASSESSMENT: Final grades will be based upon punctual attendance, professional attitude, the highest
level of preparation of music, and when necessary, the seeking out of supplemental resources to aid in
the execution of all percussion parts.
CHANGES IN COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Not all ensembles progress at the same rate, thus
course requirements might have to be modified as circumstances dictate. E-MAIL WILL BE THE
PRIMARY MODE OF COMMUNICATION; CHECK IT MULTIPLE TIMES EACH DAY.
ACADEMIC DISRUPTION POLICY: The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding
Academic Disruption is found in The Lowdown, the student handbook,
http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicdisruption.shtml: Disruptive academic behavior is
defined as individual or group conduct that interrupts or interferes with any educational activity or
environment, infringes upon the rights and privileges of others, results in or threatens the destruction of
property and/or is otherwise prejudicial to the maintenance of order in an academic environment.
Students are expected to be cordial, courteous, and respectful of faculty members and fellow students.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Cell phones are to be turned off or set to vibrate with no noise during
class meetings. Cell phones are not to be used during class, unless special circumstances necessitate use
and are arranged with the instructor prior to class. Tablets are only permitted to read music. If there is a
repeated offense of disruption, the student(s) will not be allowed to bring the device(s) into the
classroom for the remainder of the semester; the final grade will also be adversely affected.
STUDENT ACADEMIC CONDUCT POLICY: The University of South Alabama’s policy
regarding Student Academic Conduct Policy is found in The Lowdown,
http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicconductpolicy.shtml: The University of South
Alabama is a community of scholars in which the ideals of freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought,
freedom of expression, and freedom of the individual are sustained. The University is committed to
supporting the exercise of any right guaranteed to individuals by the Constitution and the Code of
Alabama and to educating students relative to their responsibilities. Any student caught cheating will be
dealt with according to departmental and University protocol, at the discretion of the instructor.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
students with bona fide disabilities will be afforded reasonable accommodations. The Office of Special
Student Services (OSSS) will certify a disability and advise faculty members of reasonable
accommodations. If you have a specific disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations,
please notify the instructor and provide certification from the OSSS. OSSS is located at 5828 Old Shell
Road at Jaguar Drive, (251) 460-7212.
COUNSELING AND TESTING SERVICES: Counseling and Testing Services provides a variety
of free and confidential services for students. For further information regarding this resource go to
www.southalabama.edu/counseling or call the office at 460-7051.
JAGALERT: JagAlert is an academic program intended to help students be successful in 100 and 200
level courses. If you are not doing well, you will receive an email instructing you to see your professor
and academic advisor. Watch for the JagAlert email around Week 6 of the semester.